Short Report
November 5-7, 2007 American Presbytery Meeting

Held at Fellsmere, Florida

Short report prepared by American Presbytery, November 5-7, 2007

• After submission of credentials and roll call, it was noted that Sheboygan was absent without excuse.
• Elder Jerry Clay was elected as moderator, Pastor Geoffrey Donnan as secretary, and Pastor Rudy Poettcker as preparer of Short Report.
• Three observers were present from Sovereign Grace Church, Des Moines, Iowa.
• Drafted a “Chronology of events leading to schism within the CRPC (by one church, one mission work under a temporary session, and three ministers)”, as a reference for responses to various communications from Justin Stodghill, Frank Smith, and delegates from Sheboygan and New London.
• Reports were given from each of the churches present.
• Decided to include in our Constitution a clarification of the use of terms “hell” and “hades” as used in the WCF. This inclusion needs to be ratified in a future meeting.
• Discussed and agreed on charges against Frank Smith, Marty Waltho, and Gene Osborne, and settled on a statement regarding their ministerial credentials as continuing to reside in the CRPC.
• Adopted overtures regarding convening church, docket order changes, acknowledgment of receipt of complaints, removing the requirement for counsel in a trial of one who is absent, and change of time for Notice of Intent to Appeal.
• Discussed the teaching of the WCF in regards to the civil magistrate; the appointed committee will continue its work on this matter.
• Discussed the matter of our purpose for being a Presbytery; pastor Poettcker was asked to draft a list of introductory understandings for the CRPC.
• Adopted overture regarding unlawful departure of ministers, and pertaining to changes in the DCO.
• Next meeting, Lord willing, will be July 21-23/08; to be hosted and convened by Milton CRPC.

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